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BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Ely Cathedral's first peregrine chicks in four years die
Two peregrine chicks which were the first to hatch at the top of a cathedral in four years have died. A pair of peregrine falcons had chosen the west tower of Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire as their nesting site this eggs were laid between 19 and 24 April - and the last egg hatched at about 12:45 BST on Wednesday.A spokesperson for the Hawk and Owl Trust said in a social media post it was "saddened to share that both peregrine chicks died" over the weekend. "Chick mortality is, unfortunately, common in the first weeks of life due to natural vulnerabilities - limited temperature regulation, weak immune systems, and potential food issues all play a role," said the spokesperson. "The adult falcon's behaviour also suggests she may be a first-time parent."The younger chick died on Saturday morning, while the remaining chick died overnight on Saturday. The cathedral saw its first pair of birds nest at the site in 2019 - with two chicks hatching a year it said there had not been a resident pair of peregrines since 2021. This year, a new pair began using the cathedral as a nesting site and laid three trust added it would continue to monitor the adults, which have remained in the area. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cathedral sees first falcon chicks in four years
Peregrine falcon chicks have hatched at the top of a cathedral for the first time in four years. A new pair of peregrine falcons chose the west tower of Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire as their nesting site this year. The eggs were laid between 19 and 24 April - and the last egg hatched at about 12:45 BST on Wednesday. Liberty Wells, outreach and conservation ranger at the Hawk and Owl Trust, said: "Sadly, the first chick to hatch did not survive, but the second chick appears to be doing better than the third and smallest." "At this stage, they remain extremely vulnerable, and we are continuing to monitor them closely," she added. The cathedral saw its first pair of birds nest at the site in 2019 - with two chicks hatching a year later. However, it said there had not been a resident pair of peregrines since 2021 until this year, where a new pair have began using the cathedral as a nesting site and laid three eggs. If it all goes well, Ms Wells said the surviving chicks were expected to fledge about 35 to 42 days after hatching. Most recognisable for its yellow talons and beak, the peregrine is a species of large crow-sized falcon. The bird can travel at more than 200 mph (320 km/h) and there are thought to be about 1,769 breeding pairs in the United Kingdom. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. The minders with their eyes on a city's peregrines Viewers wait for cathedral peregrine eggs to hatch Lives of cathedral peregrines 'like a soap opera' Cathedral cameras finally film nesting peregrines Hawk and Owl Trust Ely Cathedral
BBC News
30-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Ely Cathedral welcomes first peregrine chicks in four years
Peregrine falcon chicks have hatched at the top of a cathedral for the first time in four years.A new pair of peregrine falcons chose the west tower of Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire as their nesting site this year. The eggs were laid between 19 and 24 April - and the last egg hatched at about 12:45 BST on Wednesday. Liberty Wells, outreach and conservation ranger at the Hawk and Owl Trust, said: "Sadly, the first chick to hatch did not survive, but the second chick appears to be doing better than the third and smallest." "At this stage, they remain extremely vulnerable, and we are continuing to monitor them closely," she added. The cathedral saw its first pair of birds nest at the site in 2019 - with two chicks hatching a year later. However, it said there had not been a resident pair of peregrines since 2021 until this year, where a new pair have began using the cathedral as a nesting site and laid three eggs. If it all goes well, Ms Wells said the surviving chicks were expected to fledge about 35 to 42 days after hatching. Most recognisable for its yellow talons and beak, the peregrine is a species of large crow-sized falcon. The bird can travel at more than 200 mph (320 km/h) and there are thought to be about 1,769 breeding pairs in the United Kingdom. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
